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2 perfect in this sublunary world,” we had a little episode, which I
3 will here relate. Passing the river, Sir — known in antiquity under
4 the name of Jaxartes — we arrived at a custom station, where
5 they demanded an enormous toll, which we had not any “right
6 whatever to pay. An awful quarrel arose, and we were about
7 preparing for a fight, when our antagonists, perceiving our arms,
8 began to feel a little more respect for us ; they still, however,
9 continued to make a noise and to vociferate, and made fire-signals
10 for their brethren in the desert to hasten to their assistance. But
11 the affair was soon settled, and we went on our way without any
12 further molestation. With regard to mercantile interests, I must
13 here add, that among the products and manufactures, native and
14 foreign, of Bokhara, are lamb-skins, dyed linen, horses, indigo,
15 Cashmere shawls, &c. Respecting indigo, I may observe that
16 it was most impure stuff, for I observed that one-half of it was
17 nothing but particles of clay, in the same shape as it is brought
18 by the Loanis from Dhera-Ghasi-Khan, Moultan and Bhawul-
19 pore. How much might be saved in the carriage, and in duty
20 at the custom-houses, if the indigo were purified previous to
21 exportation ! We were almost induced to take with us a great
22 quantity of sarsaparilla from the desert, but I soon recognised it
23 to be a mere substitute for the real article. Among other
24 objects which attracted my attention in the desert, connected
25 with scientific knowledge, was the kumiss (fermented mare’s-
26 milk), a favourite beverage with the Kirgis, and also with the
27 inhabitants of the Russian boundaries. I could give a great
28 many proofs that the kumiss is a very wholesome and nutri-
29 tious beverage. It may suffice to mention here, that the
30 governor of Orenburg returned at that time from the Ural
31 Mountains, where he had used the kumiss as a cure with great
32 benefit. I may observe also, that it is introduced at the
33 tables of the nobility at Orenburg and several other places.
34 It was especially drunk by weak persons and children, as a
35 wholesome potion. Kumiss is a palatable and intoxicating
36 drink, it being produced by fermentation, and consequently
37 spirituous. They prepare it by pouring the mareVmilk into